BFO95LA059

During climb to cruise, the airplane collided with terrain at an elevation of 2,400 feet MSL. The non-instrument rated private pilot stated that he received a fss weather briefing about 90 minutes prior to departure and thought the weather to the flight's intended destination was VMC. He stated that while climbing to cruise, the airplane entered into fog and haze. The pilot decided to return to the departure airport, and initiated a climb '...for safety... .' During the climbing 180 degree turn, the airplane collided with trees.

On June 10, 1995, about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172E, N3060U, collided with mountainous terrain at an elevation of about 2,400 feet mean sea level, during climb to cruise near Muncy Valley, Pennsylvania. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Instrument meteorological conditions existed at the time and location of the accident. The personal flight departed Towanda, Pennsylvania, about 1140 and was destined for Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The non-instrument rated, private pilot reported that he received a weather briefing from a Flight Service Station about 90 minutes prior to departure. He stated that he thought the flight could be operated to its destination in visual meteorological conditions. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported that the sky was overcast at about 2,800 feet above the ground.

The pilot reported, "Towanda is in a valley, surrounded by mountains. We departed S.E. bound in clear weather. Approx. 15 min into the flight we flew into some light haze or mist which would come [and] go. At this point we decided to make a 180 [degree] turn [and] return to Towanda. At that instant the haze thickened [and] did not clear. We started climbing from 2,500 [feet] for safety. Approx 5 seconds later we saw the trees on top of the mountain. We were unable to get over them. I pulled the yoke all the way back to minimize the speed just prior to impact." The airplane collided with trees and came to rest in foliage about five feet above the ground.

The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

At 1250, the Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Weather Observation facility, located about 15 miles west of the accident site, reported:

Measured 900 variable overcast; ceiling variable 700 to 1,100 feet; 3 miles visibility with haze and fog; temperature 69 F; dew point 64 F; winds coming from 060 degrees at a velocity of 6 knots; altimeter setting 30.06

The pilot wrote on Safety Board Form 6120.1/2, Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, under the Recommendation (How could this Accident Have Been Prevented) section, "Should have conducted a 180 [degree] turn at first sight of hazy weather."